Chevrolet’s compact Cruze returns for 2017 with an addition to the Cruse lineup: the first hatchback version.

Prices begin at $20,965 (plus $875 freight) for the base LT model with a six-speed manual transmission, and $21,920 for the LT with a six-speed automatic.

The uplevel Premier model is $23,945, and comes only with the automatic.

Under the hood of the Cruze Hatch is the same turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine from the sedan, rated at 153 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. EPA ratings are 28 mpg city/37 highway with the LT manual or Premier automatic, and 29/38 with the LT automatic.

The new Silverado High Desert features a cargo management system it its bed that’s reminiscent of the one featured on the unique, multi-configuration Avalanche, which was discontinued in 2013.

It can’t extend the load floor into the cabin, like the Avalanche’s did, but has a moveable cargo divider, compartments in the bed sides, and a rigid tonneau cover. It can all be locked up, and is water-resistant, if not 100 percent waterproof.

A buttress-style sport bar completes the homage to the Avalanche, but the High Desert is also the first and, for now, only Silverado available with GM’s magnetic ride control suspension system, currently standard on the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. To get it, you’ll have to opt for a redundant-sounding top of the line Silverado 1500 High Country with the High Desert package, which is also available on the LT and LTZ trim levels in Crew Cab trucks.

Prices for the High Desert Silverados will be revealed closer to its on sale date this fall.

All this comes with the impressive capability of a Colorado truck that has up to 305 horsepower and a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. Both horsepower and Etowing capacity are better than the major competitors’. Plus, unlike competitors, the Colorado offers an easy-lift-and-lower tailgate that uses an internal torsion bar so the tailgate feels light enough to lift with one hand. This special tailgate also has a damper to control the tailgate’s downward movement so it doesn’t bang abruptly.

Available in extended and crew cab with short and long pickup beds and with rear- and four-wheel drive, the Colorado is competitively priced, particularly when its higher horsepower is factored in.
The V-6 is available on Crew Cab models that include a full-size back seat and two rear doors, not on base, Extended Cabs that don’t have rear doors and full-size back seat.

By comparison, the competing 2015 Nissan Frontier carries a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $18,875 with 152-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and two-door King Cab. A base, 2015 Frontier King Cab with five-speed automatic has a starting retail price of $21,545. And a base, 2015 Frontier King Cab with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission starts at $27,195, or $565 less than the Colorado.

Another competitor, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma, has a starting retail price of $21,650 for a base, Access Cab model with two doors, 159-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.

Both the Frontier and Tacoma are available with V-6 engines, too. But the Colorado’s direct-injection V-6 produces 305 horses, more than the 261 horsepower and 236 horsepower, respectively, in the Frontier and Tacoma.

To be sure, the Colorado and its sibling, the GMC Canyon, are overshadowed — in size and U.S. sales — by the full-size Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

The federal government’s best fuel economy ratings for the 2015 Colorado are 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway for a two-wheel drive, four-cylinder model with automatic transmission. The highest fuel economy rating for a 2015 Chevy Silverado is 18/24 mpg with V-6, automatic transmission and two-wheel drive.

Still, the 2015 Colorado Crew Cab Short Box 4WD tester in Z71 trim showed the benefits of using a more maneuverable, more city-sized truck for regular travel and intermittent home projects.
The tester, which stretched nearly 18 feet in length from bumper to bumper, fit easily into a 1970s-era, two-car home garage and into downtown parking garages; a Silverado required some moving of storage items in the home garage to fit its length, and the Silverado’s wider proportions caused it to edge closely to other vehicles in parking spots.

The Colorado’s upgraded interior for 2015 brings an SUV quality and appearance to the controls, seats and plentiful storage areas. Controls and gauges were well arranged.

The storage area at the bottom of the dashboard’s center stack was especially appreciated for cell phone storage and charging.

Everyone rode high off the pavement in the 4WD Colorado — about on the same level as passengers in bigger trucks — and had good views out.

Just because the Colorado is mid-sized doesn’t mean it scrimps on passenger room, particularly in the front seats. Legroom is a huge 45 inches there, and headroom is a generous 41.4 inches. Both measurements are more than the Tacoma’s. The Colorado Crew Cab’s back seat was surprisingly comfortable, too, with nearly 36 inches of legroom.

The new Colorado 3.6-liter V-6 in the test truck was responsive and ran smoothly and strongly. Torque peaks at 269 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm.

With upgraded features and major enhancements, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt was revealed this week by General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) at the Detroit Auto Show. Despite the record-low gasoline prices, the largest North American automaker is still betting high on fuel-efficient vehicles for future. The 2016 Chevrolet Volt brings a major upgrade to its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model, which has improved battery power 32%. GM said the new Volt can cover 50 miles on a single lithium ion battery charge. The previous version of Volt could go up to only 38 miles.

Engineers have extended 12 miles of drive range by adding two motor drivetrains, which reduce around 100 pounds of vehicle weight.

Including gasoline, the combined fuel efficiency can go up to 41 miles per gallon (mpg), with the total drive range extended to 400 miles. The vehicle can also go from zero to 60 miles per hour (mph) in less than 8.4 seconds.

The head of General Motors North America division, Alan Batey said, “We believe our engineering prowess combined with data from thousands of customers allow us to deliver the most capable plug-in vehicle in the industry,” according to International Business Times.
More specifications for 2016 Chevrolet Volt have not yet been disclosed by the automaker. However, the new Volt is expected to have an 18 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery with fewer cells, further saving 20 pounds of weight. But the Chevy Volt’s most famous feature is its amazing timing to switch to a new 1.5 liter, four-cylinder gas engine once the electric battery is exhausted. The four cylinders can boost the power up to 101 horsepower, according to Digital Trends.

The new Volt is spacious enough to comfortably seat five people by adding a middle seat.

The add-on features were even highlighted by Mr. Brauer, who said the previous version had limited electric drive range, a hefty price tag, and didn’t have an appealing exterior. But the latest Volt has gone through major improvements on all these issues, according to International Business Times.

One major factor for the new Volt to watch out for is the falling gasoline prices, which are making fuel-efficient vehicles less attractive and SUVs more popular. Over the last year, the successful plug-in hybrid Prius, along with other hybrids, saw a 15% decline in sales. Chevrolet recorded its annual sales of 18,805 units of Chevy Volt for 2014 – a 19% drop compared to 2013, according to Bloomberg.

But just like Ford Motor Company is planning its fuel-efficiency game by launching its all-aluminum F-150 pick-up truck, GM is also convinced that low gasoline prices will not remain low forever.

The new Volt will hit dealerships by the second half of this year. However, GM’s fuel-efficient car won’t be alone; it is expected that Toyota could possibly start production of its new 2016 Prius by the end of this year, after delaying it for six months.

More specifically, the 2016 model year Chevrolet Camaro borrows some exterior styling cues from a wacky Autobot we refer to as Bumblebee, the one from the fourth movie in the Transformers saga.

We expect the headlights and taillights to not make it into production, but as far as panels, creases and everything in between is concerned, this is 90 percent of how the long-awaited 2016 Camaro will be like.

Proper information on the 2015 Dodge Challenger and 2015 Ford Mustang’s rival is still scarce at the present moment, but expect its GM Alpha platform to keep the Camaro’s weight in check.

The new Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06, an uprated version of the Corvette C7, has been unveiled at the Detroit motor show.

Chevrolet’s high-performance Z06 moniker first appeared on the C2 generation of Corvette, in 1963. It was followed, decades later, by the C5 Z06 and C6 Z06.

This generation of Z06, however, is the first with a removable roof, optional eight-speed automatic transmission and – more notably – a supercharged V8 engine.

Power comes from Chevy’s new supercharged 6.2-litre ‘LT4’ V8. It utilises direct injection and variable valve timing to help produce “at least” 625bhp and 635lb ft.

In line with its high-performance nature, the LT4 in the Z06 benefits from a dry sump oiling system, ensuring the correct oil pressure is maintained in strenuous conditions.

Other notable design features of the engine include a 10:1 compression ratio, titanium intake valves, forged aluminium pistons and machined connecting rods.

Thanks to the use of a compact 1.7-litre Eaton supercharger, the LT4 is only 25mm taller than the standard LT1 engine. This helps keep the Corvette’s centre of gravity low, improving its handling characteristics.

Chevrolet is yet to announce any official performance statistics for the C7 Z06, but it’s likely that it’ll perform in a similar fashion to the 638bhp ZR1, which accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.4sec and can reach a top speed of 205mph.

No official fuel consumption figures have been released either, but the use of cylinder deactivation should help the Z06 return acceptable figures. The standard naturally aspirated C7 is currently claimed to average 28mpg, while the outgoing supercharged ZR1 returns 19.2mpg.

Drive is sent to the Z06’s rear wheels via a seven-speed manual gearbox or a rapid-shifting eight speed automatic. The seven speed features active rev matching, like that found on Nissan’s 370Z

The eight-speed gearbox is a new addition to the Corvette range, and benefits from wheel-mounted paddle-shifts for faster manual control. According to Chevrolet, the torque-convertor-based automatic can “deliver shift performance that rivals the dual-clutch/semi-automatic transmissions found in many super cars”.

The company claims, for example, that its eight speed can perform full-throttle upshifts up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than that of Porsche’s PDK.

“The new Z06 delivers levels of performance, technology and design that rival the most exotic supercars in the world,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America.

“It leverages the engineering expertise of GM, offering the choice of two world-class transmissions, supercar performance without supercar fuel consumption and technologies that make it easier to fully enjoy the incredible experience of driving it.”

Buyers can also opt for a track-focused ‘Z07’ performance pack that adds upgraded Super Sport Cup tyres, Brembo carbon-ceramic brake discs and tweaked aerodynamic components. A carbonfibre aerodynamic package will also be available.

“Larger vents provide more cooling air to the engine, brakes, transmission and differential for increased track capability. The more aggressive aerodynamic package generates true downforce for more cornering grip and high-speed stability.”

Interior upgrades, compared to the standard C7, include unique colour schemes and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Two seat options will be offered, a conventional GT seat or a more aggressively bolstered ‘Competition Sport’ seat. Both feature magnesium frames, for weight-reduction purposes.

According to Chevrolet, the new Z06 is reputed to deliver “faster lap times” than the outgoing range-topping 2013 Corvette ZR1 – a car capable of lapping the Nürburgring in 7:19.63, quicker than many more costly rivals.

The new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will go on sale in early 2015. Pricing and exact performance data is yet to be announced;

At one point it appeared as if Jimmie Johnson might run away with this season’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but in recent weeks his lead at the top of the standings has been pegged back somewhat. He is still in a commanding position, but with the season not due to end until November, the thirty point cushion he enjoys at the top will surely not be wide enough for him to be able to rest on his laurels. Betting on NASCAR 2013 has been underway for months now, but with nearly three months of the season gone, who are the drivers who could realistically compete with the 7/1 favourite Johnson for the Series?

Certainly the driver just below him in the standings – Carl Edwards – must be considered a genuine contender. You can get odds of 10/1 on him with the bookies, and he will attract plenty of gambling interest at that price, although it should be noted that he has won only one race so far this season. This could be why he is behind the likes of Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch in the odds reckoning – despite being ahead of them in the standings – as they have won three and two events respectively this season, indicating that they have the speed and the winning mentality. All of these different factors should be considered before betting on the winner of NASCAR 2013, but if you are still unsure you might find a motor racing online casino game a bit more congenial.

One of the best of these games, found at Lucky Nugget, is Motor Slot Speed Machine, which is a slot with five reels and a jackpot of $50,000. Like most slots games this one can be played very cheaply, with $0.05 coins suitable for using on it, and it presents a very good chance of a payout – thanks to the presence of a wild reel icon (the speedometer). The other reel icons are equally motor sport related, including motorcycle gloves, petrol pumps, helmets and traffic lights, while the game bonus features a race between three motor bikes, offering a prize to those able to pick a bike that finishes second or first – which should be great fun for any motor sports fans.